SGIS's Success in O-LIVE Online Distance Learning Program

It’s an understatement to say that COVID-19 has changed the way we live. Though no one could have imagined 21st-century life in a pandemic, St. Gabriel International School (SGIS) had to imagine just how education would continue as effectively. 

The result was SGIS’ Online Learning in an Integrated Virtual Environment (O-LIVE) program on Microsoft Teams, which has allowed Gabrielites to receive the same quality of learning from the safety of their homes.

Moving with the times

Leading up to O-LIVE, SGIS had already implemented a number of COVID-19 pivots. In March 2020, when classes were first suspended due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine, school administrators immediately drafted guidelines for the remainder of the school year. SGIS was ready with KPLUZ, its online learning resource with tutorials for a variety of subjects. Teachers also sent self-paced and interactive lessons via online messaging platforms. 

Yet SGIS was committed to level up distance learning for the long term. By April 2020, school administrators were developing a more streamlined online learning curriculum, one that would keep classes engaging and prioritize student well-being. Faculty underwent training for online lectures and platform navigation. After two dry runs–in which student, parent, and teacher comments were considered–O-LIVE was officially launched for school year 2020-2021. 

Connected with care

O-LIVE uses Microsoft Teams to connect teachers and students via video conferencing. Synchronous classes, wherein students learn together in real time, can be conducted via such Teams calls, live chat, or livestreamed instructional videos. However, O-LIVE also provides supplemental instruction through asynchronous material: recorded presentations, discussion boards, and other downloadable resources. 

But this doesn’t mean that students are alone, because instructor availability and personalized guidance is of utmost importance to SGIS. Hence, the school has a unique Guided Study Session Program where students do their teacher-assigned learning activities (outside of synchronous classes) under the supervision of their teachers. Teachers also have regular scheduled consultation hours during asynchronous time to help students with any additional questions. While other schools have been challenged to transition online, SGIS has clearly worked to perfect this distance learning strategy–a careful balance of mentorship with self-paced study.

Beyond academics, SGIS has kept well-being at the forefront of O-LIVE. Class days normally start with group check-ins. Community events and even physical education classes have continued virtually. The family culture of SGIS is still top priority, as SGIS continues to improve O-LIVE based on student and parent feedback–though the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. 

As the school year comes to a close, we are proud to have stood as one SGIS in these changing times. Gabrielites and their families have indeed recognized how our school community was brought together despite the distance, through O-LIVE, which has been widely lauded as one of the best online distance learning programs among private schools in Pasig for the SY 2020-2021.